United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan Next Generation Launch System (NGLS)

TheSpaceBucket has put out a video about how the ULA is dealing with the Centaur stage's problems:


Vulcan is a next-generation launch system under development by United Launch Alliance that’s been trying to lift off for years now. Unfortunately, different delays related to the first mission’s payload, rocket, and plan have all pushed this date back a few years. Recently we got news that the upper stage was being unstacked and shipped to ULA’s factory for necessary upgrades.
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Just days ago Tory Bruno gave more insight into this process and what the repairs will look like and how exactly it affects Vulcan’s schedule. All of this comes after a Vulcan upper stage Centaur test article exploded within the test stand. At first, the thought was that it wouldn’t affect the maiden flight but ULA has since changed its mind.
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This comes in addition to the BE-4 flight engine explosion which ULA and Tory are very confident will have little to no impact on Vulcan’s maiden flight. Here I will go more in-depth into the upper-stage repairs currently underway, the new launch date for Vulcan, what to expect in the coming months, and more.
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Full article here - https://thespacebucket.com/how-ula-is...
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Well it looks like ULA has almost finished fixing the Centaur V, from TheSpaceBucket:


Earlier this year an explosive upper stage test of the Centaur V caused some concerns with a separate Vulcan test article preparing for a maiden flight. While initially, the thought was that this mishap wouldn’t affect the launch schedule, an investigation found a weakness in the stage’s design. This meant ULA needed to de-stack the Vulcan preparing to launch and ship the upper stage back to the factory for repairs.
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While this happened quite recently, ULA is making good progress and has already begun upgrades on the stage. Tory Bruno has confirmed that he is very confident Vulcan will be ready to lift off this year in quarter 4. He also gave more insight into exactly how they are strengthing the stage and how this will impact the payload capacity, schedule, etc.
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For a while now Vulcan has been running into delays for all sorts of reasons continuing to push back its madien flight. ULA is now trying everything in its power to get this rocket off the ground. Here I will go more in-depth into the upper stage’s progress, what they still need to complete, the chances of a launch this year, and more.
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Full article here - https://thespacebucket.com/vulcan-rep...
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So the earliest we can expect the first launch is in October 2023 then?
 
Let's just wait and see what happens Flyaway, it is a long time away for the first launch of UCLs Vulcan rocket. I would really like it to get launched before the Christmas holidays but who knows what will happen.
 
TheSpaceBucket has put out another video about whether or not the Vulcan-Centaur will have its first flight this year:


Currently, the rocket that was most recently scheduled to lift off last month, is in United Launch Alliance’s factory undergoing necessary upgrades. After an upper stage test article exploded, the company found a weakness in the upper stage tank, and decided that Vulcan was not launching anywhere without fixing this problem.
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Once discovered, Vulcan went from completing practically all of its pre-launch testing and preparing to liftoff in a month to being destacked and shipped away. Despite this significant hiccup, recent updates from ULA CEO Tory Bruno suggest that Vulcan will still lift off this year. A task that seems extremely unlikely given the circumstances and date.
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This being said, physical progress is coming along and with most of the pre-launch testing already complete, ULA could have an opportunity to fast track the process and get Vulcan in the air before 2024. This is assuming that all the upgrades work as intended and no other issues are revealed within the next few months. Here I will go more in-depth into Vulcan’s upper stage reinforcement progress, what the company still needs to complete, the chances of a launch this year, and more.
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Full article here - https://thespacebucket.com/can-ulas-v...
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The debut launch of Vulcan is now targeting a nighttime launch on the 24th December.
 
So it is a Christmas Eve launch debut for Vulcan, I thought that it would be a holiday launch. Fingers and toes crossed nothing happens between now and launch day.
 
https://twitter.com/x/status/1717574523220902402
View: https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/1717574523220902402


Today is the day we've been anticipating as the ULA team begins launch operations at Cape Canaveral to ready the first #VulcanRocket for its inaugural flight! We are targeting Dec. 24 for Certification-1 (#Cert1) to send a commercial lunar lander to the Moon. #CountdowntoVulcan
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https://twitter.com/x/status/1717583778023883255
View: https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/1717583778023883255


The #VulcanRocket #Cert1 launch campaign includes hoisting the first stage aboard the Vulcan Launch Platform, installing two GEM 63XL solid rocket boosters, interstage & Centaur V, performing a final Wet Dress Rehearsal & attaching the encapsulated payload. #CountdowntoVulcan
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From TheSpaceBucket, Vulcan Centaur's official launch date set:


After lots of delays, Vulcan’s first test article is back on the pad awaiting the arrival of its upper stage for a launch next month. The vehicle is said to be ahead of schedule as they target Christmas Eve or December 24th as the launch date.
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In other news, Rocket Lab has received FAA authorization to resume Electron launches from LC-1. This comes after the company’s most recent Electron launch that had an anomaly losing both the vehicle and payload.
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Lastly, Relativity Space has been very busy building test stands, manufacturing complexes, and testing Terran R’s new Aeon R engine hardware. Here I will go more in-depth into Vulcan’s new launch date, Rocket Lab’s investigation, Relativitity’s progress, and more
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.Full article here - https://thespacebucket.com/ula-has-co...
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Yikes!!!

https://twitter.com/x/status/1720084732334260422
View: https://twitter.com/sciguyspace/status/1720084732334260422


It looks like Vulcan's delay ended up costing ULA about $350 million in military launch contracts. Story:
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arstechnica.com

After Vulcan slips, Space Force ends up awarding more missions to SpaceX

"It is imperative to rapidly deliver critical space capabilities."
arstechnica.com arstechnica.com

After Vulcan slips, Space Force ends up awarding more missions to SpaceX
"It is imperative to rapidly deliver critical space capabilities."

by Eric Berger - Nov 2, 2023 2:14pm GMT
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Elon Musk no doubt is privately rubbing his hands in glee with SpaceX getting more contracts at the expense of ULA;).
 
https://twitter.com/x/status/1720441485185737064
View: https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1720441485185737064


Wow. That kind'a looks like 4 Centaur V's in flow at the Rocket Factory... #VulcanRocket
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Are they changes / iterations on these or is it pencils down?
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https://twitter.com/x/status/1721011282684592316
View: https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1721011282684592316


There is a planned upgrade program that will be introducing performance enhancements in blocks
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Very exciting!

With ULA consolidating Delta & Atlas factory space into production for one vehicle, what kind of production rate are you targeting for Vulcan? I think you mentioned it in your tour with @smartereveryday, but I don't recall what number you had in mind
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https://twitter.com/x/status/1721010970091544920
View: https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1721010970091544920


25 per year
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newsroom.ulalaunch.com

United Launch Alliance’s New Vulcan Rocket Begins Final Road to First Launch

The United Launch Alliance (ULA) new innovative Vulcan rocket is beginning final processing milestones in advance of the inaugural launch. The first certification mission (Cert-1) is planned to launch on Sun., Dec. 24, from Space Launch Complex-41 (SLC-41) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station...
newsroom.ulalaunch.com newsroom.ulalaunch.com

blog.ulalaunch.com

Vulcan Cert-1: Launch campaign started

The launch campaign for the inaugural flight of the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan rocket is underway with initial stacking operations in the Vertical Integration Facility (VIF) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
blog.ulalaunch.com blog.ulalaunch.com
 
https://twitter.com/x/status/1726686143914430556
View: https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/1726686143914430556


The Centaur V upper stage for the inaugural United Launch Alliance #VulcanRocket was integrated atop the booster on Sunday, completing initial buildup for the #Cert1 mission.

Read more about this #CountdownToVulcan milestone in the blog:
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blog.ulalaunch.com

Vulcan Cert-1: Centaur V preparations underway

The Centaur V upper stage for the inaugural United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan rocket arrived from the factory at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station launch site on Nov. 13 and was integrated atop the booster on Nov. 19.
blog.ulalaunch.com blog.ulalaunch.com
 
According to TheSpaceBucket the first launch of the Vulcan Centaur is just a few weeks away:


Vulcan is an expendable two-stage heavy-lift rocket that has been in the development and testing phase since 2014. Its design combined with the use of brand-new hardware such as Blue Origin’s BE-4 engine, caused a host of delays during in its nearly decade-long development. Most recently an upper-stage explosion on the test stand pushed the flight back a few months.
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Thankfully, these various issues have since been resolved and both the upper stage and booster are back at the launch site preparing to lift off. With an official launch date set for December 24th, this is the closest Vulcan has been to its first flight.
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Between now and then, the company needs to complete one main test and integrate the payloads. Here I will go more in-depth into the final launch prep, why this first flight is such a big deal, its future with Dream Chaser, and more.
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Full article here - https://thespacebucket.com/ula-is-wee...
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The initial launch has now fallen back to early 2024 due to issues that came up during the WDR. Also that they have to wait around for the next lunar launch window.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1733907494030688486
View: https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1733907494030688486


#VulcanRocket WDR update: Vehicle performed well. Ground system had a couple of (routine) issues, (being corrected). Ran the timeline long so we didn't quite finish. I'd like a FULL WDR before our first flight, so XMAS eve is likely out. Next Peregrine window is 8 Jan.
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Welp. It's definitely not the news we wanted to hear, but glad you're pushing for success. Will it still be an early morning launch on the 8th?
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https://twitter.com/x/status/1733909618420568475
View: https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1733909618420568475


yes. We'll publicize the details
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Details on what the issues were with the first WDR:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1734321905316888668
View: https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1734321905316888668


#VulcanRocket rolled back to the pad. Ground side leaks that interfered with completing Friday’s WDR were fixed over the weekend. Next WDR tomorrow.
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Ground Software was dealt with more or less in real time. But a pair of ground side LOX leaks ate up the timeline right at the end. Those are now fixed and we’re set up to repeat the (full) WDR tomorrow
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@torybruno are you able to expand on what the "routine" issues were with the ground equipment?
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https://twitter.com/x/status/1734324330169848107
View: https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1734324330169848107


2 LOX leaks in the tank farm
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Now targeting the 8th January 2024 for the maiden launch.

@torybruno Spaceflight now says Vulcan is headed back to the pad for another one so does that mean Xmas eve is still in play?
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https://twitter.com/x/status/1734323416851706145
View: https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1734323416851706145


We’ll likely go to the 8 Jan opportunity, which has comparatively long, multi minute windows
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@torybruno does the launch time on Vulcan remain the same for a Jan 8th launch attempt or will it change again?
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https://twitter.com/x/status/1734325627975557234
View: https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1734325627975557234


Still zero dark thirty, but a little bit later. Longer window. Not instantaneous
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"Likely" out, as in there's still a chance to launch this month?
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https://twitter.com/x/status/1734332473180295466
View: https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1734332473180295466


No, not really. The payload is encapsulated, but it will still have to be integrated, followed, testing and vehicle close outs. This pushes us past the December window.
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At least for now the launch is holding on the 8th January. Pending range approval.

Well, how did the 2nd WDR go?
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https://twitter.com/x/status/1735302148357767200
View: https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1735302148357767200


It went great. The critical events we wanted to demonstrate happened nominally and on the timeline. #VulcanRocket is now in the pipe for its first launch (CERT1) at the next lunar window on 8 January.
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Edit to add:

Any thoughts on a time, day or nite? (Please don't say 3 in the morning )
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https://twitter.com/x/status/1735307313353830625
View: https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1735307313353830625


Still in the wee hours of the morning. But it's a generous 45 min window vs the instantaneous one we had in December
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https://twitter.com/x/status/1735371981493559607
View: https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/1735371981493559607


Following a successful WDR, the launch of ULA's first #VulcanRocket flight test and #Cert1 mission is planned for Jan. 8, 2024, pending range approval. The Vulcan VC2S rocket will launch from SLC-41 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.
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Vulcan Cert-1

www.ulalaunch.com www.ulalaunch.com
 
The payload fairing containing the Peregrine lunar lander is being lifted into position atop the Vulcan rocket. @ulalaunch will not allow us to bring you video or photos of this operation from our location nearly four miles away, citing export control (ITAR) restrictions.
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https://twitter.com/x/status/1737505762899878190
View: https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow/status/1737505762899878190

https://twitter.com/x/status/1737522591072686466
View: https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/1737522591072686466


Look at this beautiful fairing for a historic inaugural launch! #VulcanRocket #Cert1 #CountdowntoVulcan

Launch info: bit.ly/vulcan_cert1
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@ulalaunch will not allow us to bring you video or photos of this operation from our location nearly four miles away, citing export control (ITAR) restrictions.
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That sounds like bullshit to me
 

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